4-string lap steel bass

[TimB1226]

Somewhere David Lindley is dancing.

 

[Markmann]

Very cool! Does a “normal” steel work? What scale length did you make it?

The steel I used was a Stevens style and the scale is 29". I know it's an oddball scale but it was the longest I could have with the wood I had available. Honestly, I wouldn't make it any longer than 30" because the distance between frets would be to far for sliding.

 

[Markmann]

Very cool--nicely done! Sounds great to me! I think JPJ has some sort of bass lap steel, but other than that I don't think I've ever seen one before. Would be killer for overdubs, doubling guitar parts on heavy dirty bluesy stuff, etc. Probably sounds killer with distortion.

I actually built it partly out of curiosity but also to play similar to fretless but with a different twist.

 

[Markmann]

Somewhere David Lindley is dancing.

I play 6-string lap steel and David Lindley has always been my #1 inspiration.

 

[Passinwind]

The steel I used was a Stevens style and the scale is 29". I know it's an oddball scale but it was the longest I could have with the wood I had available. Honestly, I wouldn't make it any longer than 30" because the distance between frets would be too far for sliding.

Not so sure about that, I’ve been using a slide on standard scale fretless BGs for several decades. But I rarely play it lap style, FWIW. I got the idea from a reel to reel bootleg of Phil Lesh doing it in the mid-60s. Sweet build in any case!

 

[Water buffalo]

I like it!

I have a 30" scale 6 string bass square neck resonator in the works (body and neck are built), looking at your cool build I think I need to finish it.

Dave Pomeroy has a 7 string Curbow bass that he plays "lap steel" style, I can't remember which song but he used it on his latest album "Angels in the ashes". It's pictured on the album cover.
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[Markmann]

Not so sure about that, I’ve been using a slide on standard scale fretless BGs for several decades. But I rarely play it lap style, FWIW. I got the idea from a reel to reel bootleg of Phil Lesh doing it in the mid-60s. Sweet build in any case!

My 6-string lap steels have 22.5" scale so for me 29" is a big jump.

 

[Markmann]

I like it!

I have a 30" scale 6 string bass square neck resonator in the works (body and neck are built), looking at your cool build I think I need to finish it.

Excellent!!! Make sure you post pic's when you get it done. On second thought, post what you have now

 

[Passinwind]

My 6-string lap steels have 22.5" scale so for me 29" is a big jump.

Roger that, to me 42” is more or less standard scale and my 34 is almost a shortie.

What is your slide of choice? I roll my own and have settled on a silicon alumininum bronze bar as my favorite.

 

[DirtDog]

I recorded a video while I was building it and did a quick demo but I was playing through monitors and recorded with my cell phone so the sound isn't very good. Also, this is the first time I tested it so excuse my poor playing.

That’s really cool. Thanks for sharing the clip!

 

[BAG]

That's great.
You could do some cool things with an Ebow on it.

 

[JPJ]

Pbass2 beat me to the reference. John Paul Jones killed on a MIDI controlled bass lap steel during his solo tours promoting Zoom and The Thunderthief (great albums, by the way...if you have not heard them). I saw him use it live...usually to play the vocal line to Black Dog and When The Levee Breaks.

 

[viper jazz]

Yup, only ever heard a bass lap steel on JPJ's Zooma album (which has ferocious tones).

Also reminds me of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum's "Log" instrument that's played w/ a slide and drumstick and strung w/ piano wire...

 

[songofthewind]

Ry Cooder built and played a giant "floor slide", which he used on a film soundtrack. Can't recall which. I remember it sounded ominous and weird.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I like it!

I have a 30" scale 6 string bass square neck resonator in the works (body and neck are built), looking at your cool build I think I need to finish it.

Dave Pomeroy has a 7 string Curbow bass that he plays "lap steel" style, I can't remember which song but he used it on his latest album "Angels in the ashes". It's pictured on the album cover.
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Like your avatar. I bought a Suzuki TS 185 in 1972, and there was a blue one in the showroom. Very cool!

 

[andrewd]

now I want to see a pedal steel bass

 

[Water buffalo]

Like your avatar. I bought a Suzuki TS 185 in 1972, and there was a blue one in the showroom. Very cool!

Thank you. 70's-80's Japanese bikes are my favorite, especially two strokes. My first bike was a 1974 TS 100 That my parents peurcahsed for me as a birthday present. I've owned a few GT 750's over the years, along with a couple Kawasaki H2 750s, which are my favorite. I'd love to own another one but they are priced out of my reach nowadays.

I currently have a 1974 GT 750 that I am restoring. I also have a 1980 Kawasaki KZ 1000st (shaft drive) which is my favorite bike that I've ever owned, It has been modded and I am currently going through it again.

But there is nothing like the smell/sounds of a two stroke!

 

[Water buffalo]

Excellent!!! Make sure you post pic's when you get it done. On second thought, post what you have now

I will dig it out and take some pics.

 

[Markmann]

now I want to see a pedal steel bass

Haha, I will leave that for someone more skilled than me

 

[Maxwell Tremont]

Here's a couple pictures of a lap steel bass that I built early this year. It's a simple design and I used materials that I had laying around so it was very low cost. I thought you might like to see it since lap steel basses are not common.
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This looks awesome, I haven't seen a bass like this in a while, nicely done. I'd love to hear how it sounds